The Ethical Arguments Concerning the Artificial Ventilation of Patients With Motor Neurone Disease

This paper focuses on the ethical dilemmas created by advanced technology that would allow patients with motor neurone disease to be sustained by artificial ventilation. The author attempts to support the patient's right to informed choice, arguing from the perspective of autonomy as a first or...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kent, Michele Anne (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 1996
In: Nursing ethics
Year: 1996, Volume: 3, Issue: 4, Pages: 317-328
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:This paper focuses on the ethical dilemmas created by advanced technology that would allow patients with motor neurone disease to be sustained by artificial ventilation. The author attempts to support the patient's right to informed choice, arguing from the perspective of autonomy as a first order principle. The counter arguments of caregiver burden and financial restraints are analysed. In the UK, where active euthanasia is not legalized, the dilemma of commencing ventilation is seen to be outweighed by the problems of withdrawing this treatment. The lack of accurate data and protocols that would clarify the current situation is emphasized and the conclusion takes the form of a recommendation for further research.
ISSN:1477-0989
Contains:Enthalten in: Nursing ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/096973309600300405